humidity
hyoo-MID-uh-tee
/hjuːˈmɪd.ə.ti/
The concentration of water vapor present in the air.
High humidity prevents sweat evaporation, making warm temperatures feel significantly hotter and stickier.
The story behind the word. The Latin adjective 'humidus' came from an ancient Indo-European root associated with liquid or moisture. It gave birth to French 'humidité', which Middle English borrowed in the late fourteenth century to describe damp air and atmospheric vapor.
Word relationships
- moisture: Moisture applies broadly to wetness on surfaces or in materials, while humidity refers specifically to atmospheric vapor.
- mugginess: Mugginess is an informal term for uncomfortable heat combined with high humidity.
- aridity: Aridity describes extreme atmospheric and environmental dryness, opposite to humidity.
- dryness: Dryness indicates a lack of water vapor, directly contrasting with humidity.
Commonly confused with
- humility: Humility means modesty or humbleness, whereas humidity refers to moisture in the atmosphere.
Word family
- humid (adjective): Containing a high amount of water vapor.
- humidify (verb): To increase the level of moisture in the air.
- humidifier (noun): A device used to add moisture to indoor air.
Collocations
- relative humidity
- high humidity
- humidity level
- tropical humidity
Example sentences
- "High humidity made the afternoon air feel thick, muggy, and stiflingly warm." Weather report
- "Museums carefully regulate relative humidity to preserve delicate historical documents from deterioration." Environmental control
Memory hook
HUMIDITY makes human skin feel HUMID and sticky. HUMIDITY = Heavy Moisture In Day Air.
When not to use
Do not confuse humidity (water vapor in air) with wetness of ground or liquids.
Fun facts
- Cold air holds much less water vapor than warm air, which is why indoor air feels so dry during winter heating seasons.
Related words
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